The good......and the bad.

Lixx · 01-26-2005, 07:52 PM

Well, the good news; I found a vet that I like.

The bad. Orangeyabald needs a full dental extraction.

Ever since he had a canine removed by my "old" vet I had doubts about them. It never healed right and I was sure part of the tooth (the whole root really) was still in there. But when I questioned I was told that was normal, so I blindly toddled along like a good little patron. A month ago I brought him in again as he could not eat. She said, "ooo bad gingivitis, I'll give him a shot, give him these pills and we'll see if that helps". Well the Monday he was acting the same way, afraid of his food. Hungry but unable to eat, so I made him an appointment with a new vet as I was tired of dilly dallying with my old vet (he'd had checkups between the extraction and a month ago and they did nothing...) She told me his mouth is awful. Full of rot and cavities. The gums are very receeded and are grey/black deep in his mouth. It looked awful. So she's setting up an appointment for me with the cat dentist, which means I have to go to Guelph. Never mind the $1500 it'll cost. With my impending move money is tight as it is, now it's strecthed to the limit. I really need that job. I am sooooo mad for not trusting my gut years ago. The pain he has gone through becuase of it....tell me it going to be okay

Candycane · 01-26-2005, 10:40 PM

He will be fine. And any financial strain you are experiencing will be forgotten once he will back to his normal self.

Orangey is already on a wet diet, right?

Don't beat yourself up over the previous problems. It is hard not to trust that the vet knows what they are doing. I've done it before, I'm sure that others have as well.

shadowlark · 01-27-2005, 12:27 AM

Are you taking him to the vet school in Guelph? I've heard lots of good things about them, so if that's where he's going he'll be in good hands. We could have taken Farty there when he broke his tooth if we'd wanted to have it capped, but it would have cost tons of money so we opted to just have it removed.

Don't worry, he'll be fine. And like Candice said, once he's better the money will be easier to forget about.

Who's your new vet?

Lixx · 01-27-2005, 11:14 AM

Thanks guys.

I'm not sure exactly where in Guelph. The vet is supposed to call me with the info once she has set it up. Apparently this guy is very busy. Once I get his info, I'll see if he can do a payment plan, but I have a feeling they'll want it all up front

.
My new vet is @ the Cat hospital. Wolfdale x Burnhamthorpe. I missed her name, think she said Joan. I always miss names... My old vet was Applewood Veterinary Clinic. Dixie x Burnhamthorpe. Don't go there!

Banshee · 01-27-2005, 11:47 AM

I'm sure he'll be just fine. Fionagh had just a few teeth in her head when we found her but she was still able to eat with no worries. She even ate small kibble.

My old rat vet didn't have payment plans as such, but they had an agreement with a finance company so clients could arrange a loan with the finance company which would forward the money directly to the vet, and the client would repay to the finance company. I wonder if the vet in Guelph would be willing to do something like that if he won't let you make payments in instalments? The interest might be a bit high, but it might take the financial strain off right now with your impending move expenses?

LankaKitten · 01-27-2005, 05:17 PM

Orangey will be fine, of course! Plus, it's only money. I know that sounds like an incredible statement when it's tight but things do have a way of working themselves out.
Plus, you have a great support system: us!

Lixx · 01-27-2005, 07:41 PM

Awww, thanks guys. You know, you always prepare for things like this, but they always happen when you blink. Life just can't be easy can it? *sigh*

Banshee, I will inquire about the loan thing. Thank you.

Candycane · 01-27-2005, 11:28 PM

Lizz, maybe if you put down a good chunk up front, the vet will realize that you are good for the money...you just can't afford the whole bill.

Lixx · 01-28-2005, 09:22 AM

Thanks for the idea Candice, but I'm all good now. After I collected my 'freaking out' self. I sat down and thought to myself, surely I have plans for such an event. So I called one of my back up plans (my brother) and I now have $1500 waiting for me should I need it. So, we are in the clear! Now just waiting on the vet to let me know when the appointment will be. Thanks guys

You helped me think rationally again

clearjade · 01-29-2005, 12:46 AM

Lixx, about being mad for not trusting your gut. I never questioned vets for years until I started participating in online animal forums where owners can share information, that's when I realised that vets are only human and lots of them make mistakes. From then on, I've never again followed whatever the vet says blindly, now I ask questions and do my own research as well as consult the vet.

The important thing is that he will get the treatment he needs